THE STAIRWAY RESOURCE CENTER STAFF

Michael has been an avid and successful entrepreneur since 2004, with experience in various industries including; entertainment, production, retail consumer goods, and transitional residential programs and multi-unit housing facilities.

He is highly driven by his commitment and passion to help others who are in need of recovery and has been helping people to achieve their goals for several years with tremendous success. His reputation is well known within the treatment community and amongst people who actively are working on their recovery and want to live a sober life.

Michael oversees the daily operations of Stairway Recovery Homes, the partner of Stairway Resource Center, which is located in Southern California. Stairway Recovery has nine residential homes and houses over 100 people in the sober community. Not only do the people in the Stairway Recovery community stay sober, but they are also able to create new meaningful relationships and lives that they never thought possible.

Michael’s vision has become a reality, manifested by the rebuilt lives and realized dreams of the people he serves.

As an experienced business leader and Co-Founder, Travis leveraged his leadership skills and personal family experience with addiction to inspire and create an innovative and patient-first culture at Stairway Resource Center.

Travis oversees the facilities’ Performance Improvement process, which ensures that SRC holds itself to the highest standards so that our clients receive the best quality of care. Additionally, he ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations, licensure, and Joint Commission Accreditation.

Travis is passionate about his work because it provides the opportunity to assist those with similar experiences to his. The virulent problem of addiction is very personal for Travis. He saw first-hand the tragic consequences of addiction in his own family as a young boy, and from that experience made a commitment to someday help others battle this devastating disease.

Travis and his wife, Elyssa, are longtime residents of Southern California. They split their time between their homes in Woodland Hills and Mammoth Lakes.

Jessi Brown, Senior Director of Admission and Client Experience, is more than just a member of the Stairways Resource Center team, she is an example of what this community can achieve and an example to all of our clients, especially the women.

Jessi has been working in the field of recovery since 2007 and joined this team as manager of the first female sober living at Stairway Recovery Homes and went on to design and implement the woman’s program at SRC. She continues to take on additional responsibilities within operations, to ensure our clients are receiving the highest level of support possible, but more importantly, Jessi continues to inspire and change the lives of young women, who can relate to her experiences, each and everyday.

Max has been working in substance abuse treatment for the past 10 years. He completed his Masters at Pacifica Graduate Institue and wrote his thesis on group therapy for addicted populations. He has run over 3000 groups and currently runs the family group at Stairways on Tuesday nights. With individual clients, he practices Habib Davanloo’s Intensve Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and believes it to be the most powerful approach in individual counseling for those suffering with addiction, helping clients quickly resolve core issues that had often previously been ignored. He has been sober for almost 2 decades. He opens the batting for Pickwick Cricket Club.

Tyson has worked in the treatment field since 2015 he has influenced a culture shift for individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorders and seemingly hopeless circumstances in his community.

Through his professional life as a licensed interventionist and serving the recovery community with a large fellowship of resources Tyson is literally in the business of saving lives. Recovery also lives and breathes in his personal life, he has an altruistic spirit wrapped around a grateful heart. Tyson enjoys surfing, raising his children (Seamus and Liv), volunteering at Charle Street in Costa Mesa, and leading by example for his two younger brothers and Family. Tyson uses critical thinking, unconditional positive regard, and years of experience as an addict himself to help alcoholics and addicts find a better quality of life.

Tyson has seven years clean and sober and claims to be living in the “fourth dimension”. Allegedly that is where you dwell when you have been “delivered from a hopeless state of mind and body”. Tyson lets his actions speak for who he is.

He serves as a board of director for Yellowstone Recovery in Costa Mesa as well as a board of director for The Nowell Family Foundation helping musicians struggling with addiction

Heidi has been working in the field of addiction for the past 5 years, has a RADT and moonlights as a recovery blogger. If asked, there is nothing in the recovery field that Heidi won’t do to learn more or to be of service to the newcomers.

As Director of Alumni and Case Management, Heidi feels she has the unique opportunity to help with the day to day needs of the clients and maintaining continuity in the community-even after people have finished their initial SUD programming.

Kenny is a Pennsylvania native who came to southern California in 2022 for treatment of his own addiction. Following an intensive 60-day residential program he came to Stairway Resource Center to continue his own care and establish a personal recovery program. Following his outpatient therapy at Stairway he felt drawn to work in the field of addiction, recently becoming staff at the facility that both saved and changed his life. Kenny now works as the Director of Medical Services at Stairway, where he serves more than 60 clients trying to manage the same disease that nearly cost him his life. He is a devoted member of Narcotics Anonymous and committed to the men and women of the Stairway Community.

Prior to his relapse in 2017 he worked as a medical examiner in both Allegheny and Onondaga Counties, and also held faculty appointments at Syracuse University (Adjunct Professor of Forensic Science) and Upstate Medical University (Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine). He formerly held 4 certifications from the American Board of Medical Specialties (anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, neuropathology, forensic pathology), as well as licenses in Pennsylvania, New York, and Mississippi. He also has a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Dr. Clark currently has an application for California medical licensure under review.

Dr. LaTesha Reed is a board certified Nurse Practitioner (family and psychiatric-mental health) and completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice. This is an accomplishment she takes great pride in, knowing her patients will reap the rewards of this higher learning. Additionally, she holds two master’s degrees and a post masters certification.

Dr. Reed’s journey in the world of healthcare has been a thrilling and enlightening adventure, one that has unfolded over the years as she had the privilege of working with diverse patient populations and nurturing the minds of nurse practitioner students. Through it all, her unwavering belief in the paramount importance of physical and mental health has been the guiding light illuminating her path.

Recognizing the importance of passing on the torch of compassionate care, she took on the role of an educator. Teaching nurse practitioner students has been a rewarding experience, allowing her to instill in them the values of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to both physical and mental health. Together, they’ve explored the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, with an emphasis on holistic patient care.

Throughout her journey, the importance of physical and mental health has remained at the forefront of her practice. Dr. Reed has seen firsthand how these two aspects of well-being are inextricably linked and how neglecting one can impact the other. Her dedication to fostering a holistic approach to healthcare has led to improved patient outcomes and a stronger emphasis on preventive care and mental health support.

Michael D. Stone, MD has been in practice for over 30 years. He graduated from Medical School in 1986 and attended LA County/USC Medical Center Residency in the field of Emergency Medicine. He is a practicing E.R. doctor at 2 hospitals in the Southern California area. Dr. Stone also has a Specialty in Chemical Dependency and Addiction Medicine for 22 years. He is the Medical Director of numerous Residential and Outpatient Facilities in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Stone’s interests outside of medicine include a commercial pilot, all outdoor activities including skiing, fishing and boating.

Kenny is a Pennsylvania native who came to southern California in 2022 for treatment of his own addiction. Following an intensive 60-day residential program he came to Stairway Resource Center to continue his own care and establish a personal recovery program. Following his outpatient therapy at Stairway he felt drawn to work in the field of addiction, recently becoming staff at the facility that both saved and changed his life. Kenny now works as the Director of Medical Services at Stairway, where he serves more than 60 clients trying to manage the same disease that nearly cost him his life. He is a devoted member of Narcotics Anonymous and committed to the men and women of the Stairway Community.

Prior to his relapse in 2017 he worked as a medical examiner in both Allegheny and Onondaga Counties, and also held faculty appointments at Syracuse University (Adjunct Professor of Forensic Science) and Upstate Medical University (Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine). He formerly held 4 certifications from the American Board of Medical Specialties (anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, neuropathology, forensic pathology), as well as licenses in Pennsylvania, New York, and Mississippi. He also has a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Dr. Clark currently has an application for California medical licensure under review.

Christy Zeegen is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Los Angeles, California. With a rich background serving both pediatric and adult patients, Christy’s expertise spans developmental and intellectual differences as well as broader mental health challenges. She firmly believes in the intertwined relationship between holistic health and achieving balance in one’s life.

Christy is steadfast in her belief that holistic well-being encompasses mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Emphasizing a personalized approach in healthcare, she ensures that each patient’s unique needs are at the forefront of her practice. This patient-centric philosophy is the bedrock of her role as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

Matthew been working in substance abuse/recovery treatment and mental health therapy for the past 4 years. He has extensive experience with dual diagnosis and co-occuring disorders. He completed his Masters at Antioch University, Los Angeles with specializations in Addiction & Recovery and Trauma practices. He has worked in PHP, IOP, and private settings and facilitated numerous Process and Support Groups. He believes a integrative and holistic, approach to be highly effective and comforting for those suffering with addiction as well other mental health diagnoses. With individual clients, utilizing a strength-based, trauma-informed method, he practices multiple theories including Humanistic, Attachment, Family Systems (IFS), Object Relations, and Intersubjectivity to help clients work on and process issues, including those that may have been overlooked, with a solution-focused strategy. He has been sober for 5 years. An avid sports and music fan, he loves attending events including concerts and games, especially watching his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, where he used to be employed.

Guzel received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy at the Benedictine University. She utilizes treatment modalities of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy, Psychodynamic processing, with a foundation focus of Attachment Based Therapy. Guzel has experience working with victims of crime, youth in the justice and foster care system, individuals struggling with the aftermath of childhood trauma, addiction, eating disorders and relationship issues.

Lexi graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. She is trained in psychodynamic theories, emotionally-focused therapy, trauma-informed modalities, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapies. She believes that therapy gives you the choice to live how you want to live — not how you have learned to survive. Her work treating sobriety reflects this value.

Lexi works as an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT) both in private practice and with individual clients at Stairway Resource Center. She is actively involved with the Los Angeles chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and a member of the Los Angeles Institute and Society of Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS) Student Society. She is supervised by Suzanne Dudley, LMFT #44353.

Max has been working in substance abuse treatment for the past 10 years. He completed his Masters at Pacifica Graduate Institue and wrote his thesis on group therapy for addicted populations. He has run over 3000 groups and currently runs the family group at Stairways on Tuesday nights. With individual clients, he practices Habib Davanloo’s Intensve Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and believes it to be the most powerful approach in individual counseling for those suffering with addiction, helping clients quickly resolve core issues that had often previously been ignored. He has been sober for almost 2 decades. He opens the batting for Pickwick Cricket Club.

Rosa graduated with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in ‘Addiction & Recovery’ from Antioch University, which was one of the first in the country to offer this specialization. Since 2018, she has had the pleasure of working at several dual diagnosis outpatient treatment centers for people struggling with mental health and/or addiction.

Rosa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in private practice, teaching groups (and with individual clients) at Stairway Resource Center, as well as pro-bono work with Miriam’s House, a non-profit residential sober living home where women can live with their children while in recovery.

Heidi has been working in the field of addiction for the past 5 years, has a RADT and moonlights as a recovery blogger. If asked, there is nothing in the recovery field that Heidi won’t do to learn more or to be of service to the newcomers.

As Director of Alumni and Case Management, Heidi feels she has the unique opportunity to help with the day to day needs of the clients and maintaining continuity in the community-even after people have finished their initial SUD programming.

Bruno Burghard is a Case Manager, NAMA Anger Management and Relapse Prevention Specialist at Stairway Resource Center with 22 years of giving back to the community, one newcomer at a time.

Jon began his journey working in substance abuse treatment in 2019. He has experience working with co-occurring disorders, anger management, and depressive disorders. He is active in his own recovery, passionate about his position, and is able to serve as a brand ambassador to Stairway Resource Center. As a psychiatric technician he is committed to helping others seek treatment and getting the appropriate care they deserve.

In 2021, Jon was certified in the delivery of TMS. Due to his varied experience working in mental health, Jon finds TMS exciting due to the possibility of offering real hope to individuals for whom many other treatments failed to produce a genuine change in their internal experience of depression. An avid learner, Jon is currently studying to become a CDAC.

Raymond has been working in the addiction and behavioral health field for the past 5 years. A member of a 12 step program, Raymond has been clean and sober for over 7 years. With a special interest in medication resistant depressive disorders, Ray returned to school and obtained his certification in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Through his work with patients, Raymond has found that he is at his best when he is helping others connect with mental health resources and he is excited to help more patients find TMS.

In his free time, Raymond enjoys travel, theatrical events, and exploring Southern California.